VOP 2014 Spring

Orland Park has joined an elite list, having been named

one of Chicago Magazine’s best places to live.

The magazine used statistics from Midwest Real Estate Data, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois State Board of Education and the police departments for Chicago and every town in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lane, McHenry and Will Counties. “It’s especially gratifying when a well-respected source like Chicago Magazine makes an unsolicited finding that recognizes our community’s value,” the mayor added. Cook County suburbs making the list with Orland Park include Barrington, Northbrook, LaGrange and Wilmette. Those from DuPage County include Hinsdale and Wheaton. Lake County is represented by Highland Park and Lake Bluff with the sole winner from Kane County being Geneva. Woodstock, in McHenry County, made the cut as did the only other south suburb on the list — Frankfort in Will County.

“We are very proud of Orland Park being named and in particular for the village’s low crime rate being noted,” said Trustee Dan Calandriello, chair of the village’s Public Safety Committee. “This was a big part of the mayor’s State of the Village Address in February — what a safe community Orland Park is,” he added. The magazine studied how home prices have fared in recent years compared with prices in neighboring areas as well as whether buyers can get good value for their money. Orland Park’s median home sale price for 2013 was $275,000, an increase of three percent since 2012. The number of home sales in Orland Park for 2013 was listed at 442. Winning communities included those with schools that scored above average on standardized tests and offered ease of transportation downtown. Communities with several “L” stops and at least one Metra stop earned extra points. “They studied everything that makes Orland Park great — a variety of housing options, our low crime rate, great schools, outstanding parks, transportation, shopping for everyone and Downtown Orland Park,” McLaughlin said. “We were very excited to see that they mentioned the Old Orland Historic District and its link to Ninety7Fifty on the Park,” the mayor added.

Print copies of the magazine were delivered in the Sunday, March 16 Chicago Tribune. The online version of the article appears at www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/April-2014/chicago-neighborhoods.

www.orlandpark.org | ORLAND PARK PUBLIC SPRING 2014 3